FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

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PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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H  Y  M  N  S 


MAY  17  1933 


HOLY     HOURS, 

AND   OTHER  PIECES. 

BY 

RAY    PALMER. 


NEW  YORK: 

AXSOX    D.    F.    RANDOLPH, 

No.   770   BROADWAY. 

1868. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1867, 

By  RAY  PALMER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States 
for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


EDWARD   0.    JENKINS,   PRINTER, 
NORTH   WILLIAM   STREET,   NEW  YORK. 


MRS.  ANGELINA    PALMER    GRIXNELL, 

THE   PLAYMATE    OF    MY   CHILDHOOD,   AKD    THE    DISINTERESTED    AND 
CONSTANT   FRIEND   OF   MY  RIPER  YEARS,    THESE   PAGES 

ARE  INSCRIBED, 

AS  A   3LIGHT   EXPRESSION  OF  THE   PROFOUND  AFFECTION   AND 
GRATITUDE   OF   HER  BROTHER. 

RAY    PALMER. 


PREFACE 


The  writer  has  had  such  evidence,  from  many 
sources,  that  a  small  volume  of  hymns,  published  by  him 
some  time  since,  has  proved  a  grateful  offering  to  fellow 
disciples,  not  only  in  his  own  communion  and  his  own 
country,  but  also  in  other  branches  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  and  in  other  lands,  that  he  has  been  encouraged 
to  make  this  small  additional  contribution  to  the 
hymnology   of  his  time. 

Only  a  part  of  the  following  hymns  are  suitable  to  be 
sung.  The  remainder  are  designed  to  give  expression 
in  hymnic  form,  to  the  deeper  emotions  of  the  devout 
soul  in  its  various  moods,  experiences  and  disciplines. 
How  necessary  it  is  that  hymns  intended  to  be  used 
in  worship,  should  be  simple  and  unadorned,  should  so 
preserve  unity  of  thought  and  feeling  as  to  seem  artless, 
and  to  be  easily  apprehended,  it  is  evident  from  current 
criticism  is  even  now  but  partly  understood.  Hymns 
intended    chiefly    for    reading,    however,    allow    a    far 


vi  PREFACE. 

greater  variety  of  thought  and  measure,  and  may  take  a 
much  wider  range.  If  the  following  lyrics  express  truly 
the  healthful  emotions  of  one  Christian  heart,  they  will 
be  certain,  it  is  believed,  to  awaken  response  in  others. 
Should  they  assist  the  faith  and  love  of  any  in  finding 
fit  utterance  before  God,  the  highest  wish  of  the 
author  will  have  been  fulfilled. 

The  writer  feels  obliged  to  add,  that  if  the  compilers 
of  Manuals  for  Public  Worship  shall  desire  to  in- 
troduce any  of  these  hymns  into  their  Collections,  he 
cheerfully  consents,  provided  always  that  the  hymns 
be  taken  exactly  as  they  are.  He  repeats,  even  with 
greater  emphasis  than  in  the  preface  to  the  former 
volume,  his  protest  against  the  alteration,  or  abridgment, 
of  the  hymns  of  a  living  author,  to  adapt  them  to  the 
uses  or  the  taste  of  others,  without  his  consent.  He 
cannot  but  regard  it  as  a  breach,  not  of  courtesy 
alone,   but  of  Christian  morality  as  well. 

R.  P. 


CONTENTS. 


I.- 

— Praise  to  Christ   . 

.       9 

II.- 

—The  Soul's  Cry  . 

11 

III.- 

—The  Love  that  Stoopeth     . 

.     13 

IV.- 

—Midnight  Worship 

15 

V.- 

—Morning  Worship  . 

.     18 

VI.- 

—Evening  Worship 

20 

VII.- 

—The  Hour  of  Joy  . 

.     22 

VIII.- 

-De  Profundis 

24 

IX.- 

—The  Crown      .... 

.     28 

X.- 

—Burdens       .... 

30 

XI.- 

—A  Present  God 

.     33 

XII.- 

—The  Vision  of  Christ 

35 

XIII.- 

—The  Comforter 

.     37 

XIV.- 

—The  Place  of  Prayer 

40 

XV.- 

—At  the  Cross  .... 

.     43 

XVI.- 

—The  Voice  of  Christ 

45 

XVII.- 

—Submission       .... 

.     47 

XVIII.- 

—Alone  with  Christ     . 

49 

XIX.- 

-The  Consenting  Heart 

.     52 

XX.- 

-The  Victory  of  Faith 

54 

XXI.- 

—A  Nocturn 

57 

viii  CONTENTS. 


ADDITIONAL    PIECES. 

PAGE 

I. — The  Sea- Side 63 

II. — Burial  Hill 68 

III. — Mount  Washington 72 

IV. — Misanthropy,  and  Response         .        .        77 
V. — Chorus  of  All  Saints      .        .        .        .81 

VI. — Thanksgiving 85 

VII. —The  Sceptic 89 

VIII.— Song  — The  Wife 91 

IX. — Midsummer  Night 94 

X. — The  Angel  Child 97 

XI. — Song 99 

XII. — The  Golden  Wedding  .         .         .        .101 


|)ptns  of  mg  I30I1)  paurs 


PRAISE  TO  CHRIST. 

King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords.— Rev.  xix.  16. 

0   CHRIST,  the  Lord  of  Heaven,  to  Thee, 
Clothed  with  all  majesty  divine, 
Eternal  power  and  glory  be, 
Eternal  praise  of  right  is  thine  i 

Reign,  Prince  of  Life,  that  once  thy  brow 
Didst  yield  to  wear  the  wounding  thorn  ; 

Reign,  throned  beside  the  Father  now. 
Adored  the  Son  of  God  first-born  ! 

From  angel  hosts  that  round  Thee  stand, 

With  forms  more  pure  than  spotless  snow, 

From  the  bright,  burning  seraph  band. 

Let  praise  in  loftiest  numbers  flow ! 

(9) 


1 0  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UBS. 

To  Thee,  the  Lamb,  our  mortal  songs, 
Born  of  deep,  fervent  love  shall  rise  ; 

All  honor  to  thy  name  belongs, 

Our  lips  would  sound  it  to  the  skies. 

Jesus ! — all  earth  shall  speak  the  word  ; 

Jesus  ! — all  heaven  resound  it  still ; 
Immanuel,  Savior,  Conqueror,  Lord, 

Thy  praise  the  Universe  shall  fill. 


HYMXS  OF  MY  UOL  Y  HO  URS.  ]  { 


THE  SOUL'S  CRY. 

I  cry  nnto  Thee  daily.— Psalm  lxxxvi.  3. 


0 


H,  ever  from  the  deeps 
Within  my  soul,  oft  as  I  muse  alone, 
Comes  forth  a  voice  that  pleads  in  tender  tone  ; 
As  when  one  long  unblest 
Sighs  ever  after  rest ; 
Or  as  the  wind  perpetual  murmuring  keeps. 

I  hear  it  when  the  day  . 

Fades  o'er  the  hills,  or  'cross  the  shimmering  sea  ; 

In  the  soft  twilight,  it  is  wont  to  be. 
Without  my  wish  or  will, 
While  all  is  hushed  and  still, 

Like  a  sad  plaintive  cry  heard  far  away. 

Not  even  the  noisy  crowd, 
That  like  some  mighty  torrent  rushing  down 
Sweeps  clamoring  on,  this  cry  of  want  can  drown  • 


1 2  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UBS. 

But  ever  in  my  heart 
Afresh  the  echoes  start  ; 
I  hear  them  still  amidst  the  tumult  loud. 

Each  waking  morn  anew 
The  sense  of  many  a  need  returns  again  ; 
I  feel  myself  a  child,  helpless  as  when 

I  watched  my  mother's  eye, 

As  the  slow  hours  went  by, 
And  from  her  glance  my  being  took  its  hue. 

I  cannot  shape  my  way 
.Where  nameless  perils  ever  may  betide, 
O'er  slippery  steeps  whereon  my  feet  may  slide  ; 

Some  mighty  hand  I  crave 

To  hold  and  help  and  save, 
And  guide  me  ever  when  my  steps  would  stray. 

There  is  but  One,  I  know, 
That  all  my  hourly,  endless  wants  can  meet ; 
Can  shield  from  harm,  recall  my  wandering  feet ; 

My  God, thy  hand  can  feed, 

And  day  by  day  can  lead 
Where  the  sweet  streams  of  peace  and  safety  flow. 


HYMNS  OF  M  V  IIOL  7  110  URS.  \  3 


THE  LOVE  THAT  STOOPETH. 

What  i*  maii.  that  Thou  art  mindful  of  him?— Psaxm  viii.  4. 

MY  God,  though  far  above  my  thought 
The  wonders  of  thy  being  rise  ; 
Though  earth  itself  appears  but  naught. 

And  all  the  orbs  in  yonder  skies 
Seem  trifles  while  I  think  of  Thee, 
Yet  Thou  dost  deign  to  visit  me ! 

Lord,  what  is  man  ?  Ah,  not  to  him 
Is  due  thy  coming  down  to  dwell ; 

Thou  whose  high  praise  the  seraphim 
Touch  their  entrancing  lyres  to  tell ; 

Thou  comest  for  no  worth  of  mine, 

;Tis  all  of  grace  and  love  divine ! 

And  I  may  speak,  as  speaks  a  child 

That  gazes  on  a  father's  face 
Suffused  with  love,  serenely  mild, 


1  4  HTMN8  0  F  MY  HOL  T  HO  UBS. 

And  fair  with  tenderness  and  grace ; 
May  lift  my  eyes  without  a  fear, 
And  know  that,  speaking,  Thou  wilt  hear. 

Thou  wouldst  not  that  my  needy  soul, 
For  what  might  ease  its  inward  pain, 

From  clime  to  clime,  from  pole  to  pole, 
O'er  the  wide  world  should  seek  in  vaia 

Should  burn  with  deep,  intense  desires, 

As  one  consumed  with  hidden  fires. 

Thou  bidst  me  come  my  thirst  to  slake 
At  the  full  fountains  of  thy  love  ; 

And  Thou  my  soul  dost  fill  and  make 
Content  and  glad  like  those  above  ; 

For  with  thy  gifts  enriched  and  blest, 

My  search  is  o'er,  and  found  ray  rest. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  URS.  1 5 


MIDNIGHT  WORSHIP. 

At  midnight  I  will  rise  to  give  thanks  unto  Thee.— Psalm  cxix.  62. 

U  f\   UNSLEEPING!  ever  keeping 

\J     Faithful  watch  about  my  bed, 
O'er  me  bending,  and  defending 

From  all  ill  my  weary  head  ; 
Now  each  restless  thought  composing, 
And  in  peace  these  eyelids  closing, 

Father,  keep  my  soul,"  I  said. 

Thou  didst  hear  me,  Thou  art  near  me, 

Waking  at  this  midnight  hour  ; 
Changing  never,  loving  ever, 

Thou  art  my  defence,  my  tower  ; 
Thoughts  of  Thee  dispel  all  sadness, 
Thoughts  of  Thee  give  strength  and  gladness, 

And  I  rest  upon  thy  power. 


1 6  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UBS. 

Purely  glowing,  stars  are  throwing 
Glad  rays  through  the  solemn  night, 

Ever  gleaming,  as  if  beaming, 
With  thy  glory  on  my  sight ; 

By  their  order  and  their  beauty, 

Thou  dost  teach  me  love  and  duty, 
Bid  me  shine  with  virtue's  light. 

Praises  bringing,  upward  springing, 
Mounts  my  quickened  soul  to  Thee  ; 

Hope  fulfilling,  passion  stilling, 
Thou  dost  come,  my  God,  to  me ! 

And  in  holy,  sweet  communing, 

All  my  noblest  powers  attuning, 
Thou  dost  teach  me  thine  to  be. 

Nightly  waking,  from  me  shaking, 
Slumbers  soft,  I  will  arise  ; 

Bowing  lowly,  0  Most  Holy, 
I  will  lift  to  Thee  mine  eyes  ; 

So  shall  speed  my  warm  devotion, 

Winged  by  tender,  pure  emotion, 
Upward  through  the  midnight  skies. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HOURS  17 

Ever  living,  ever  giving 

Life  and  joy  to  all  thine  own  ; 
Interceding,  a?  once  bleeding, 

Priest  and  Lamb  before  the  throne  ; 
Thou  my  prayer  presentest  ever. 
Thou  my  praise  refusest  never, 

Christ,  I  trust  in  Thee  alone ! 

So  while  praying,  calmly  saying 
"  Father,  bless  me  from  above  I" 

So  believing  and  receiving 

Gifts  of  grace  and  smiles  of  love, 

I  again  mine  eyelids  closing, 

And  till  dawn  in  peace  reposing, 
All  thy  faithfulness  shall  prove. 

2 


1 8  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  110  UBS. 

MORNING  WORSHIP. 

My  voice  shaft  Thou  hear  in  the  morning,  O  Lord.— Psalm  v.  3. 

1  RATHER,  while  the  shades  of  night 
Fly  before  the  crimson  dawn, 
Heavenward  speeds  my  soul  her  flight, 
Gladdened  by  the  day  new  born. 

Nature,  fresh  enrobed  and  fair, 
Greets  me  with  her  kindly  smile, 

And  I  breathe  the  fragrant  air, 
Drinking  in  thy  love  the  while. 

All  thy  works  are  full  of  Thee ! 

Glows  my  heart  with  living  praise  ; 
Lowly  bends  the  reverent  knee, 

Upward  waiting  eyes  I  raise. 

While  from  garden,  field  and  grove, 

Morning  carols  wake  around, 
Swift  my  thoughts  ascend  and  rove 

Where  eternal  songs  resound. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  110  URS  \  9 

With  the  wide  creation's  choir, 

My  rapt  soul  would  chant  her  hymn, 

Kindling  with  the  holy  fire, 
Of  the  burning  seraphim. 

Light  of  men.  when  forth  shall  break 
Thy  full  splendor,  dimmed  so  long, 

Earth  one  hymn  of  praise  shall  wake, 
Ages  the  glad  strain  prolong. 

Son  of  God,  Redeemer,  Lord, 
All  thy  goodness  none  can  tell ; 

When  thy  gifts  I  would  recall, 
High  as  heaven  the  numbers  swell. 

Through  all  labors  of  this  day. 

Let  thy  hand  sustain  me  still ; 
Through  all  perils  guard  my  way, 

Make  me  strong  to  do  thy  will. 

Let  my  day  dawn  calm  and  bright, 

Where  no  eye  forever  weeps  ; 
Where  forever  comes  no  night, 

Where  eternal  sunshine  sleeps. 


20  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS. 


EVENING  WORSHIP. 

At  evening-time  it  shall  be  light.— Zech.  xiv.  7. 

COME,  Jesus,  with  the  coming  night, 
Refresh  and  cheer  my  weary  heart ; 
At  evening-time  it  shall  be  light, 

If  Thou  art  near,  though  day  depart. 

Welcome  this  shade  that  brings  release 
From  hurrying  labor's  noise  and  strife  ; 

That  calls  from  restless  thought  to  cease, 
And  calms  the  throbbing  pulse  of  life. 

From  tedious  toil,  from  anxious  care. 

Dear  Lord,  I  turn  again  to  Thee  ; 
Thy  presence  and  thy  smile  to  share, 

Makes  every  burden  light  to  me. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS. 

With  Thee,  of  all  sad  thoughts  beguiled, 
Peace  nestles  in  my  tranquil  breast ; 

And  like  a  pleased  and  happy  child, 
In  thy  kind  arms  I  sink  to  rest. 

Till  night's  dark  watches  all  are  gone, 
0  faithful  Shepherd,  guard  my  sleep, 

And  when  yon  mountains  greet  the  dawn, 
Give  strength  my  heavenward  way  to  keep. 


22  HTMXS  OF  MY  HOL  T  HO  URS. 


THE  HOUR  OF  JOY. 

Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart.— Psalm  iv.  7. 

ALL  tilings  to  mine  eyes  are  bright ; 
Throbs  my  heart  with  deep  delight ; 
Birds  pour  forth  delicious  notes, 
Fragrance  on  the  still  air  floats, 
Earth  and  heaven  seem  full  of  gladness, 
And  my  soul  forgets  all  sadness, 
Glows  and  quivers  with  the  thrill 
Of  the  joy  that  cloth  it  fill. 

Swift-winged  thought  exults  to  range, 
Fancy,  as  with  magic  change, 
Makes  e'en  ugliness  look  fair, 
Finds  fresh  beauty  everywhere  ; 
Life  itself  is  one  pure  pleasure, 
Tasted  without  mete  or  measure  ; 
Of  whatever  could  make  her  blest, 
My  glad  soul  seems  now  possest. 

Upward,  upward,  strong  and  free, 
Borne  on  wings  I  seem  to  be  ; 


ETJTXS  OF  MY  IIOLY  HOURS. 

Uneonfincd  by  earthly  bars, 
Soars  my  spirit  to  the  stars  ; 
E'en  beyond  the  starry  regions, 
Filled  with  orbs  in  countless  legions, 
Mounts  she  with  untiring  wings, 
Mounts  and  evermore  she  sings. 

Whence  this  ecstasy  divine  ? 
Why  so  rapt  this  soul  of  mine  ? 
0  my  God,  with  warm  desire 
Thou  didst  set  my  heart  on  fire  : 
Then  thy  love  and  goodness  showing. 
And  thy  light  around  me  throwing. 
Thou  didst  give  Thyself  to  me, 
Thou  hast  made  me  glad  in  Thee. 

Thou  art  of  all  joy  the  crown  ; 
Thou  with  joy  canst  sorrow  drown  ; 
Let  me  drink  forevermore 
At  the  well-spring  running  o'er  ; 
In  thy  smile  is  sadness  never, 
In  thy  smile  is  gladness  ever, 
To  thy  child,  0  Father,  give 
Ever  in  thy  love  to  live  ! 


24  MYMJYS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UR8. 


DE  PROFUNDIS. 

Out  of  the  depths  have  I  cried  unto  Thee,  O  Lord !— Psalm  cxxx. 


1 


N  the  dark  days  of  grief, 
When  the  dull   hours  drag  wearily 
and  slow, 
When  from  the  brimming  eyes  hot  tears  do  flow, 
Where,  where  to  find  relief, 
Shall  the  bruised  spirit  go ! 

I  see  the  world  rush  on  j 
Each,  passion-stirred,  intent  to  reach  his  end  ; 
All,  nerved  for  life's  high  prizes  to  contend, 

Glide  by  me  and  are  gone  ; 

No  healing  can  they  lend. 

Voices  of  mirth  I  hear  ; 
But  these  chase  not  the  gloom  thick  brooding  o'er, 
Nor  calm  the  billows  that  about  me  roar  ; 

They  jar  upon  mine  ear, 

And  wound  me  but  the  more. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  I/o/.  V  HOURS.  25 

I  look  on  Nature's  face, 
The  groves,  and  summer  fields,  and  lawns  and 

streams, 
All  beautiful  as  visions  seen  in  dreams  ; 

But  Nature's  smile  and  grace 

To  mock  my  anguish  seems. 

The  silent  woods  I  tread, 
Where  aisles  invite  with  oak  and  beech  o'erhung, 
And  sweet  wild  notes  by  many  a  bird  are  sung  ; 

The  still  cool  paths  I  thread, 

But  yet  my  heart  is  wrung. 

To  friendship's  breast  I  fly  ; 
Of  its  deep  tenderness  I  own  the  power, 
More  gently  throbs  my  brow  for  one  short  hour, 

But  ere  my  tears  are  dry, 

Falls  a  returning  shower. 

0  Jesus,  Thou  hast  wept ; 
When  faithful  hearts  mourned  o'er  a  brother 
dead  : 


26  HYMNS  OF  M  Y  HOL  Y  HO  UBS. 

For  mortal  griefs  thine  own  pure   tears  were 
shed  ; 

And  ever  Thou  hast  kept 

Kind  watch  o'er  hearts  that  bled. 


Since  Thou  art  Love  Divine, 
And  deep  compassions  in  thy  bosom  glow, 
This  heart  whose  anguish  Thou  alone  canst  know, 
Would  all  to  Thee  resign, 
And  trust  Thee  though  laid  low. 

My  spirit  Thou  canst  heal ; 
Canst  give  me  patience  while  I  wait  for  light, 
Bid  cheerful  day  smile  on  my  starless  night, 
And  peace  canst  make  me  feel, 
While  yet  tears  dim  my  sight. 

On  Thee,  0  let  me  lean  ; 
As  if  on  thine  own  bosom  let  me  weep, 
Till  restless  sorrow  there  is  lulled  to  sleep — 

Sleep  gentle  and  serene 

If  Thou  my  slumber  keep. 


HTMN8  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS.  27 

To  joy  then  shall  I  wake, 

And,  taught  new  trust,  with  constant,  loving 
heart, 

To  Thee  shall  cling,  nor  bear  again  to  part, 
Till  heaven's  bright  dawn  shall  break 
And  bring  me  where  Thou  art. 


28  HYMNS  OF  M  Y  HOL  Y  HO  UBS. 


THE  CROWN. 

There  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown. — 2  Tim.  iv.  8. 

rpHE  crowns  of  earth  are  jewelled  dust, 
J-      Or  weights,  the  wearer's  brow  to  press  ; 
But  Thou,  0  Christ,  dost  give  the  just 
A  nobler  crown  of  righteousness. 

That  crown,  of  thine  own  love  the  seal, 
On  thine  a  gift  of  love  bestowed, 

Diviner  splendors  shall  reveal 

Than  e'er  on  princely  head  hath  glowed. 

Ten  thousand  faithful  souls  and  true 

Now  wear  the  crown,  that  wore  thy  shame  ; 

That  many  a  wasting  anguish  knew, 
And  as  through  fires  to  glory  came. 

We  yet  must  wage  the  long  drawn  strife, 
And  oft  with  prayers  our  groans  ascend  ; 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS.  29 

We  battle  for  immortal  life, 

Give  Btrength  and  courage  to  the  end. 

Then  be  it  ours  to  hear  Thee  say, 

When  we  shall  lay  our  armor  down — 

"  The  faith  ye  kept !     Ye  won  the  day ! 
Come,  take  and  wear  the  matchless  crown !'; 


30  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UBS, 


BURDENS. 

Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord.— Psalm  lv.  22. 

EVER  as  I  onward  go 
Through  the  mazy  round  of  life, 
Days  and  years  with  struggles  rife, 
Wearily  I  tread  and  slow  ; 
Oft  my  spirit  falters,  faints, 
Oft  breathes  out  her  sad  complaints. 

Guilt's  huge  burden  weighs  me  down, 

Pressing  heavily  and  sore  ; 

Till  thy  face,  dear  Lord,  no  more 
Glows  with  smiles  •  Thou  seem'st  to  frown, 
Though  I  long  thy  grace  to  prove, 
Though  I  know  that  Thou  art  Love ! 

Oft  thou  chafes t,  haggard  Care! 
Wearing,  wasting,  day  by  day, 
Thou  each  rising  joy  dost  slay 


BTATXS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  110  URS.  3 1 

That  my  soul  would  upward  bear  ; 
Thou  dost  clog  my  heavenward  flight, 
Spoil  my  Bpirit  of  her  might. 

Leaden  Grief,  thou  pressest  hard, 
When  have  sped  the  shafts  of  fate, 
When  my  heart  bleeds,  desolate, 

And  by  many  an  arrow  scarred  ; 

When  on  sorrow's  sea  long  tost, 

All  the  lights  of  hope  are  lost. 

Dark  thou  broodest  o'er  my  soul. 

Gloomy  Doubt,  when  hidden  lie, 

Locked  in  awful  mystery. 
God's  deep  counsels,  and  the  scroll 
Sleeps  unopened  till  the  time 
When  goes  forth  his  word  sublime. 

Thou,  0  spectre-loving  Fear, 
All  too  oft  hast  o'er  me  flung, 
Terrors  that  like  rocks  have  hung, 

Sinking  every  thought  of  cheer ; 

Till  a  ship  I  seemed  to  be, 

Foundering  in  the  far-off  sea. 


32  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UBS. 

Yet  I  bear  a  Father's  voice  : 
"  I,  Jehovah,  am  thy  strength  ; 
All  thy  burdens  bring,  at  length, 

Cast  on  me — then  go,  rejoice ! 

Make  thy  days  with  songs  resound, 

Rest  in  holy  peace  profound !" 

Yes,  my  God  ;  away — away 
Haunting  unbelief  and  gloom ! 
Vanish,  and  for  joy  give  room, 

Joy  of  faith,  while  now  I  pray  ; 

Henceforth  sweetly  on  thy  breast 

Love  Eternal,  will  I  rest ! 


HYMNS  OF  MY  IIOL  Y  HO URS.  33 


A  PRESENT   GOD. 

In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of    joy;   at  thy  right  hand  there  are 
pleasures  for  evermore.— Psalm  xvi.  11. 

SMILE,  0  my  God,  on  me  ; 
Thy  presence  let  me  feel ; 
My  soul  thy  glory  longs  to  see, 
Thyself  in  me  reveal. 

I  would  not  wait  for  Heaven  ; 

Heaven  may  begin  below  ; 
To  every  new-born  soul  'tis  given 

A  present  God  to  know. 

The  vision  of  thy  face 

Fresh  life  and  joy  inspires  ; 
While  o'er  my  spirit  flows  the  grace 

That  kindles  all  her  fires. 

Though  on  my  saddened  heart, 
The  gloom  of  night  should  lie, 
3 


34  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UBS 

Faith  shall  not  fail  nor  hope  depart, 
If  I  but  feel  Thee  nigh. 

When  earth's  fleet  years  are  past, 
And  I  no  more  shall  roam, 

Give  me,  my  God,  to  find  at  last 
"With  Thee  my  changeless  home. 

Then  shall  my  blessed  soul, 
At  fountains  gushing  o'er, 

While  circling  ages  ceaseless  roll, 
Drink  pleasures  evermore. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS. 


THE    VISION    OF   CHRIST. 

Then  face  to  face.— 1  Corinthians  xiii.  12. 

0  CHRIST,  I  long  to  know  Thee 
As  Thou  art  known  above  ; 
Long,  face  to  face,  to  show  Thee, 

In  faultless  praise,  my  love  ; 
But  Thou  thyself  now  hides t 

Beyond  my  feeble  sense, 
Though  all  my  steps  Thou  guiclest, 
Thine  arm  my  sure  defense. 

Overpowering  is  the  splendor 

About  the  unveiled  throne  ; 
Where  bright  archangels  render 

A  service  all  their  own  ; 
That  glory  sight  confounding, 

Those  wonders  rich  and  rare, 
The  anthems  high  resounding, 

This  mortal  could  not  bear. 


36  HYMNS  0 F  MY  IIOL  Y  HO  UR8. 

Yet  Lord,  to  see  Thee,  pining, 

In  thought  I  oft  ascend, 
And  where  thy  hosts  are  shining, 

I,  too,  before  Thee  bend  ; 
As  one  in  rapture  dreaming, 

Celestial  bliss  I  feel, 
And  in  that  moment's  seeming, 

Glow  with  a  seraph's  zeal. 

When  from  this  dream  awaking, 

A  weary  pilgrim  still, 
Sloth  from  my  spirit  shaking, 

With  fixed,  unfaltering  will, 
My  soul  in  courage  stronger, 

Holds  on  her  toilsome  way, 
Content  to  watch  yet  longer, 

Till  dawns  the  wished-for  day. 


HYMNS  OF  Ml  HOLY  HOURS.  37 


THE   COMFORTER. 

I  will  yeno*  Him  unto  you.— Joh^  xn.  7. 


0 


HOLY  Comforter, 
I  hear 

Thy  blessed  name  with  throbbing  heart, 
Pressed  oft  with  sorrow,  sin,  and  fear, 
And  pierced  with  many  a  vcnomed  dart ; 
Come,  Messenger  divine, 
Come,  cheer  this  heart  of  mine ! 


0  Holy  Comforter, 
I  know 
Thou  art  not  to  dull  sense  revealed, 
Thou  com'st  unseen  as  the  sweet  flow 
Of  the  soft  wind  that  woos  the  field  ; 
Breathe,  Messenger  divine, 
Breathe  on  this  soul  of  mine 


38  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UES. 

0  Holy  Comforter, 
Thy  light 
Is  light  eternal  and  serene  ; 
Shine  Thou,  and  on  my  ravished  sight 
Visions  shall  break  of  things  unseen  ; 
Come  Messenger  divine, 
Make  these  bright  glimpses  mine ! 

0  Holy  Comforter, 
Thy  love 
O'erfloweth  as  the  flooding  sea  ; 
Give  me  its  tenderness  to  prove, 
Then  shall  my  heart  o'erflow  to  Thee  ; 
Come,  Messenger  divine, 
Fill  Thou  this  breast  of  mine ! 

0  Holy  Comforter, 
Thy  grace 
Is  life  and  health  and  hope  and  power  ; 
By  this  I  can  each  cross  embrace, 
Can  triumph  in  the  darkest  hour  ; 
Come,  Messenger  divine, 
The  strength  of  grace  be  mine ! 


HYMN8  OF  MY  IIOLY  HOURS.  \\\\ 

0  Holy  Comforter, 
Thy  peace, 
The  peace  of  God,  impart  and  keep 
Unruffled  till  life's  tumults  cease, 
And  all  its  angry  tempests  sleep ; 

Come,  Messenger  divine, 

Thy  perfect  peace  be  mine  1 


40  HTMJSTS  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS. 


THE    PLACE    OF    PRAYER 

Enter  into  thy  closet.— Matthew  vi.  0. 


0 


EVER  sacred  spot, 
Where  clamor  cometh  not, 
Where  earth  may  be  forgot, 
And  peaceful  stillness  undisturbed  may  reign  ; 
I  joy  that  I  may  know 
Such  holy  calm  below, 
Nor  feel  life's  restless  flow, 
When  thy  sweet  solitude  well  pleased  I  gain. 

While  lowly  here  I  kneel, 

My  God,  thy  love  reveal, 

And  give  thy  child  to  feel 
A  Father's  blessing  falling  on  his  head  ; 

I  see  thy  smile  benign, 

I  hear  Thee  call  me  Thine, 

For  Thee  I  all  resign, 
And  evermore  would  by  thy  will  be  led. 


I1VMXS  OF  M  V  EOL  Y  HOURS.  \  \ 

Hither,  0  Christ,  I  flee, 

That  I  by  faith  may  see 

Thy  face  unveiled  to  me, 
And  all  the  secrets  of  my  heart  may  tell  ; 

May  lean  upon  thy  breast, 

Lull  all  my  fears  to  rest, 

And, — joy  of  joys  the  best, — 
Hear  thy  loved  voice  known  to  my  soul  so  well. 

Tell  Thou  my  longing  heart, 
Dear  Lord,  that  mine  Thou  art  ; 
Then  all  afresh  shall  start 

The  tears  of  grateful  tenderness  and  love  ; 
Give  me  that  precious  stone 
That  bears  a  name  unknown, 
The  pledge  that  Thou  wilt  own 

And  make  me  to  behold  thv  face  above. 


Oft  as  I  enter  here, 
Great  Comforter,  be  near 
My  wrestling  soul  to  cheer, 
Let  thy  best  gifts  and  graces  all  be  mine  ; 


4  2  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  110  UBS. 

In  Thine  own  perfect  light, 
0  give  me  visions  bright 
Of  things  beyond  nry  sight ; 
Fill  my  whole  being  with  the  life  divine  1 


UYMXS  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS  [:] 


AT   THE   CROSS. 

I  am  crucified  with  Christ.— Gal.  ii.  20. 

0  JESUS,  sweet  the  tears  I  shed, 
While  at  thy  cross  I  kneel, 
Gaze  on  thy  wounded,  fainting  head, 
And  all  thy  sorrows  feel. 

My  heart  dissolves  to  see  Thee  bleed, 
This  heart  so  hard  before  ; 

I  hear  Thee  for  the  guilty  plead, 
And  grief  o'erflows  the  more. 

'Twas  for  the  sinful  thou  didst  die, 

And  I  a  sinner  stand  ; 
What  love  speaks  from  thy  dying  eye, 

And  from  each  pierced  hand  ! 

I  know  this  cleansing  blood  of  thine, 
Was  shed,  dear  Lord,  for  me ; 


44  HYMNS  0  F  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UJRS. 

For  me,  for  all — 0  grace  divine ! — 
Who  look  by  faith  on  Thee. 

0  Christ  of  God!     0  spotless  Lamb! 

By  love  my  soul  is  drawn  ; 
Henceforth  forever  thine  I  am, 

Here  life  and  peace  are  born. 

In  patient  hope  the  cross  I'll  bear, 
Thine  arm  shall  be  my  stay ; 

And  Thou,  enthroned,  my  soul  shalt  spare, 
On  thy  great  judgment-day. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  T  HOURS  \:> 


THE    VOICE    OF    CHRIST. 

Peace— be  still.— Mark  iv.  39. 

AMID  the  darkness,  when  the  storm, 
Swept  fierce  and  wild  o'er  Galilee, 
Was  seen  of  old,  dear  Lord,  thy  form, 

All  calmly  walking  on  the  sea  ; 
And  raging  elements  were  still, 
Obedient  to  thy  sovereign  will. 

So  on  life's  restless,  heaving  wave, 

When  night  and  storm  my  sky  o'ercast, 

Oft  hast  Thou  come  to  cheer  and  save, 
Hast  changed  my  fear  to  joy  at  last ; 

Thy  voice  hath  bid  the  tumult  cease, 

And  soothed  my  throbbing  heart  to  peace.. 

But  ah  !  too  soon  my  fears  return, 
And  dark  mistrust  disturbs  anew  ;. 


4G  HYMNS  OF  MY  IIOL  Y  HO  URS. ' 

What  smothered  fires  within  yet  burn ! 

My  days  of  peace,  alas,  how  few  ! 
These  heart-throes — shall  they  ne'er  be  past  ? 
These  strifes — shall  they  forever  last? 

I  heed  not  danger,  toil,  nor  pain, 

Care  not  how  hard  the  storm  may  beat, 

If  in  my  heart  thy  peace  may  reign, 
And  faith  and  patience  keep  their  seat ; 

If  strength  divine  may  nerve  my  soul, 

And  love  my  every  thought  control. 

0  may  that  voice  that  quelled  the  sea, 
And  laid  the  surging  waves  to  rest, 

Speak  in  my  spirit,  set  me  free 

From  passions  that  disturb  my  breast ; 

Jesus,  I  yield  me  to  thy  will, 

And  wait  to  hear  thy  "  Peace,  be  still !" 


H  F  WXS  OF  MT  TIOL  T  BO  67?.*  I V 


SUBMISSION. 

Tby  will  be  done.— Matthew  xxvi.  42. 

THY  holy  will,  my  God,  be  mine  : 
1  yield  my  all  to  Thee  ; 
Xo  more  shall  thought  or  wish  repine 
What  e'er  my  lot  shall  be. 

Thy  wisdom  is  a  mighty  deep. 
Beyond  my  thought  thy  grace, 

My  soul  shall  lay  her  fears  asleep. 
Secure  in  thine  embrace. 

When  clouds  and  darkness  rule  the  hour, 

Thy  bow  on  high  I  see  ; 
And  e'en  the  rending  tempest's  power. 

Shall  work  but  good  for  me. 

At  every  step  mine  eyes  shall  turn 
To  watch  thy  guiding  hand  ; 


48  HYMNS  0  F  MY  EOL  Y  BO  UB8. 

My  dearest  wish  shall  be  to  learn 
And  do  thy  pure  command. 

On  Thee  I  rest  my  trusting  soul 
Thou  wilt  not  let  me  fall ; 

Though  surging  billows  o'er  me  roll, 
I  shall  be  safe  through  all. 

Grant  me,  my  God,  at  last  to  hear, 
Well  pleased,  the  call  to  die, 

And  'mid  the  shades,  with  vision  clear, 
To  see  my  Saviour  nigh. 

Then  when  thy  glory  breaks  on  me, 

All  radiant  as  the  sun  ; 
Be  this  the  joy  of  heaven — to  see 

Thy  will  forever  done ! 


HYMNS  OF  MY  HOLY  HOI  49 


ALONE    WITH    CHRIST. 

I  will  come  to  you.— John  xiv.  18. 

ALONE  with  Thee !     Alone  with  Thee ! 
0  Friend  divine ! 
Thou  Friend  of  friends  to  me  most  dear, 
Though  all  unseen  I  feel  Thee  near, 
And  with  the  love  that  knows  no  fear, 
I  call  Thee  mine. 

Alone  with  Thee !     Alone  with  Thee  ! 

Now  through  my  breast 
There  steals  a  breath  like  breath  of  balm, 
That  healing  brings  and  holy  calm, 
That  soothes  like  chanted  song,  or  psalm, 

And  makes  me  blest. 

Alone  with  Thee  !     Alone  with  Thee  ! 

Thy  grace  more  sweet 
Than  music  in  the  twilight  still, 
Than  airs  that  groves  of  spices  fill, 


50  HYMNS  OF  MY  IIOL  Y  HO  URS. 

More  fresli  than  dews  on  Hermon's  hill, 
My  soul  doth  greet. 

Alone  with  Thee !     Alone  with  Thee ! 

In  thy  pure  light 
The  splendid  pomps  and  shews  of  time, 
The  tempting  steeps  that  pride  would  climb, 
The  peaks  where  glory  rests  sublime, 

Pale  on  my  sight. 

Alone  with  Thee  !     Alone  with  Thee ! 

My  softened  heart 
Floats  on  the  flood  of  love  divine, 
Feels  all  its  wishes  drowned  in  Thine, 
Content  that  every  good  is  mine 

Thou  canst  impart. 

Alone  with  Thee !     Alone  with  Thee ! 

I  want  no  more 
To  make  my  earthly  bliss  complete, 
Than  oft  my  Lord  unseen  to  meet ; 
For  sight  I  wait  till  tread  my  feet 

Yon  glistering  shore. 


HYMNS  OF  MY  110  L  Y  HOURS 

Alone  with  Thee!     Alone  with  The*? ! 

There  not  alone. 
Bol  with  all  saints,  the  mighty  throng, 
My  soul  unfettered,  pure  and  strong. 
Her  high  communings  shall  prolong, 

Before  thy  throne. 


52  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOLY  HO  UBS. 


THE   CONSENTING  HEART. 

Come  unto  me.— Math.  xi.  28. 

YES,  kind  Saviour,  grieving 
O'er  the  sad  past, 
All  my  vain  hopes  leaving, 
Come  I  at  last ; 
Thine — thine  I  am, 
0  bleeding  Lamb  ; 
To  thy  heart  receiving, 
Hold  Thou  me  fast. 

On  thy  word  relying. 

Safe  let  me  rest, 
All  my  tears  now  drying 
On  thy  dear  breast ; 
Dawnr.  the  sweet  day, 
Bright  o'er  my  way, 
Eoes  and  fears  all  flying, 
Here  I  am  blest. 


HYMNS  OF  MT HOLT  HOURS. 

All  my  footsteps  heeding, 

Shield  me  from  ill, 
In  green  pastures  feeding, 
By  waters  still  j 
Always  with  Thee, 
Lord,  let  me  be  ; 
Thou  all  kindly  leading. 
Thine  be  my  will. 

When — life's  last  day  ending, — 

Dark  death  is  nigh, 
Jesus,  o'er  me  bending. 
Note  my  last  sigh  ; 
In  that  dread  hour, 
Strong  in  thy  power, 
On  swift  wing  ascending, 
Home  let  me  fly ! 


54  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO  UBS. 


THE  VICTORY  OF  FAITH. 

Thanks  be  unto  God  that  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.— 1  Corinthians  xvi.  57. 


W 


HY  should  these  eyes  be  tearful 
For  years  too  swiftly  fled  ? 
And  why  these  feet  be  fearful 

The  onward  path  to  tread  ? 
Why  should  a  chill  come  o'er  me 

At  thoughts  of  death  as  near  ? 
Or  when  I  see  before  me 

The  silent  gates  appear  ? 

Behold  my  Savior  dying  ! 

I  hear  his  parting  breath  ; 
Entombed  I  see  him  lying, 

A  captive  held  of  death  ; 
Yet  peacefully  he  slecpeth, 

No  foe  disturbs  him  now, 
And  love  divine  still  keepeth 

Its  impress  on  his  brow. 


JIY.VXs  OF  MY  HOLY  HOURS 

But  lo  !  the  seal  is  broken  ! 

Rolled  back  the  mighty  -tone  ; 
In  vain  was  >ct  the  token 

That  friend  and  foe  should  own  ; 
The  weeping  Mary  bending, 

Sees  not  her  Savior  there  ; 
But  sons  of  light  attending, 

A  joyful  message  bear. 

The  Lord  is  risen  ! — He  liveth 

The  first-born  from  the  dead  ; 
To  Him  the  Father  giveth 

To  be  creation's  head  ; 
O'er  all  forever  reigning, 

Of  death  He  holds  the  keys, 
And  hell — his  might  constraining — 

Obeys  his  high  decrees. 

Flies  now  the  gloom  that  shaded 
The  vale  of  death  to  me  ; 

The  terrors  that  invaded 
Are  lost,  O  Christ,  in  Thee  ! 


5G  HYMNS  OF  MY  IIOL  Y  HO  TIES. 

The  grave,  no  more  appalling, 

Invites  me  to  repose  ; 
Asleep  in  Jesus  falling, 

To  rise  as  Jesus  rose. 

Oh,  when  to  life  awaking, 

The  night  forever  gone, 
My  soul,  this  dust  forsaking, 

Puts  incorruption  on  ; 
Lord,  in  thy  lustre  shining, 

In  thine  own  beauty  drest, 
My  sun  no  more  declining, 

Thy  service  be  my  rest ! 


nYMNS  OF  MY  110  L T  110 UBS.  5 7 


NOCTURN* 

Enter  into  thy  closet,  and  shut  thy  door.— Matthew  vi.  6. 

I  SIT  in  my  silent  chamber, 
And  my  spirit  mounts  in  thought ; 
Dear  hour  of  divine  communion, 

That  oft  a  deep  joy  hath  wrought ! 
And  lo  !  as  in  holy  vision, 

The  heavens  unfold  above, 
And  there  fall  bright  beams  of  glory, 
There  is  breathed  the  breath  of  love. 

I  see,  through  the  amber  portal, 
The  angels  of  God  descend  ; 

1  God's  Host' — they  are  swift  of  pinion, 
And  ever  his  saints  attend  ; 


*  I  have  thought  it  best  to  insert  this  piece  here,  because  it  is  hyra- 
nic  in  its  spirit  and  is  in  keeping  with  what  has  gone  before.  It  ih 
however  rather  a  night  meditation  than  a  hymn. 


58  EYMN8  OF  MY  UOL  Y  HO  URS. 

I  hear  the  celestial  chorus, 

Harps  touched  with  divinest  skill, 

Tones  sweeter  than  breathing  zephyrs, 
That  on  my  hushed  soul  distil. 

The  praise  of  the  Holiest  hymning, 

The  skies  with  the  song  resound  ; 
The  stars  seem  to  join  their  voices, 

As  they  float  in  the  dark  profound  ; 
And  the  loving  Father  of  spirits, 

Though  ruling  all  worlds  the  while, 
To  the  '  Sons  of  God7  doth  hearken, 

And  sheddeth  on  them  his  smile ! 

Ay,  Lord,  thou  bende3t  yet  lower  ; 

The  voices  of  earth  dost  hear  ; 
Dost  catch  each  sigh  of  contrition, 

Dost  note  each  glistening  tear  ; 
My  praise  is  to  thee  as  incense, 

For  prayer  thou  return  est  grace  ; 
Not  now  may  these  eyes  behold  thee, 

But  I  feel  thy  blest  embrace. 


HYMNS  OF  I/)'  HOI  V  HOURS. 

Why— why  should  I  envy  seraphs, 

That  they  stand  so  near  the  throne, 
If  here  thou  dost  deign  to  meet  me, 

If  here  dost  thyself  make  known  ? 
If  now  in  these  evening  shadow-. 

This  stillness  of  dying  day. 
My  Bonl  may  drink  of  thy  falness 

Till  won  from  her  Griefs  away  ? 


My  God,  thy  secret  is  with  me, 

A  secret  I  ne'er  can  tell ; 
'Tis  life,  'tis  peace,  'tis  a  rapture, 

When  with  mc  thou  corn's  t  to  dwell ; 
While  the  twilight  shades  grow  deeper. 

As  -preadeth  her  wings  the  night, 
On  me  there  falleth  thy  splendor, 

And  all  is  serenely  bright. 


My  finite  and  feeble  spirit 

With  thine  the  Infinite  blends. 

Till  with  Heaven's  own  bliss  o'erflowing, 
Her  weary,  vain  quest  she  ends  ; 


60  HYMNS  OF  MY  HOL  Y  HO URS. 

As  if  on  thy  bosom  lying, 

She  findeth  her  wished-for  rest, 

By  Eternal  Arms  enfolded  : 
Have  ye  more  than  this,  ye  blest  ? 


Ah  yes,  ye  spirits  immortal, 

Ye  are  not  to  sense  confined  ; 
No  law  in  your  faultless  being, 

When  ye  long  to  soar,  doth  bind  • 
And  I  too,  at  length  ascending, 

From  sense  forever  set  free, 
Shall  God-ward  cleave  the  bright  azure, 

As  glad  and  as  pure  as  ye ! 

My  feet  shall  tread  the  fair  city 

Adorned  as  a  beautiful  bride  ; 
Shall  come  to  the  living  fountains. 

And  walk  by  the  crystal  tide  ; 
To  the  loved  again  united, 

Once  lost  amidst  tears  and  pain, 
I  shall  know  the  full  affection 

For  which  T  have  yearned  in  vain. 


HYMN8  OF  MY  EOL  F  ll'TRS.  61 

I  Bhall  then,  with  undimmed  vision, 

See  what  had  been  hid  before  ; 
From  wonder  onward  to  wonder, 

Forever  mount  up  and  adore  ; 
If  on  earth  thy  works  have  charmed  me, 

What  raptures  shall  fill  me  there, 
When  I  gaze  on  spotless  beauty, 

Than  all  I  had  dreamed  more  fair ! 

Oh,  then  on  the  throne  whose  brightness 

Outshineth  yon  blazing  sun, 
The  Head  of  the  whole  creation, 

I  shall  see  the  Crucified  One ! 
Where  night  spreads  no  more  her  shadow, 

I,  amidst  the  ineffable  glow, 
Shall  live  on  his  smile  forever, 

And  ALL  THAT  He  IS  SHALL  KXOW  ! 


^bbitional  jpicccs. 


1 


THE    SEA-SIDE. 

SIT  beside  thee,  murmuring  sea, 

And  watch  thy  ever  changeful  motion  ; 
Note  where  soft  clouds  float  over  thee, 

And  where  commingle  sky  and  ocean  ; 
White  sails  are  scattered  here  and  there, 

Of  swift  ships  o'er  thy  bosom  gliding, 
That  in  the  hazy,  shimmering  air, 

Move  dream-like  on  the  wave  dividing. 


I  mark  where  on  yon  pebbly  shore, 
Along  the  crescent  bay  far-sweeping, 

White  waves  are  breaking  evermore, 

E'en  when  the  winds  are  calmly  sleeping  ; 

(63) 


64  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

I  gaze  when  storms  are  on  the  deep, 
Like  unchained  demons  wildly  roaming, 

When  billows  huge  their  tumult  keep, 
In  frantic  fury  madly  foaming. 

Thy  deep  and  still  abysses,  where 

Dwell  life  and  beauty  all-abounding, 
Where  pearls  are  born  and  mosses  rare, 

And  sea-flowers  bloom,  the  rock  surrounding 
The  countless  mysteries  concealed, 

Down  where  thy  lowest  vales  lie  hidden, 
Seem  oft  as  if  to  sight  revealed, 

While  thought  treads  paths  to  sight  forbidden. 

Yet,  mighty  sea !  'tis  not  the  glow 

Of  thy  broad  face  when  calm  and  smiling  ; 
'Tis  not  thy  wrath  when  heavenward  go 

Thy  surges  into  mountains  piling  ; 
'Tis  not  the  secrets  of  thy  breast, 

Thy  countless  marvels  all  unspoken, 
That  make  me  with  thee  ever  blest, 

Held  long  as  by  a  spell  unbroken  ! 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES  65 

Tis  that  thou  stirresl  in  my  soul 

Thoughts  all  too  deep  and  vast  for  telling  : 
Thoughts  free  as  thine  own  waves  that  roll 

On  and  yet  on  with  ceaseless  -welling  ; 
'Tis  that  emotions,  memories,  loves, 

And  buried  joys,  thou  dost  awaken  : 
Flown  hopes  dost  call,  like  nestling  doves, 

Back  to  the  heart  too  soon  forsaken. 


'Tis  that  far  o'er  thy  wide  expanse 

I  know  that  sunny  lands  are  lying. 
And  at  thy  side,  full  oft,  perchance, 

To  those  fair  climes  my  thought  is  flying  ; 
I  scent  the  orange  groves  afar, 

I  sec  the  tufted  palm-tree  spreading, 
I  rove  where  orient  gardens  are. 

In  endless  bloom  their  perfumes  shedding. 

Tis  that  in  years  far.  far  away, 

When  youthful  pulses  high  were  beating, 

I  joyed  by  thee  at  eve  to  stray. 

True  hearts  in  high  communion  meet-ins: ; 
o 


e6  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

And  now  thou  givest  back  once  more 

The  faces  whose  bright  smiles  have  perished 

I  see  them,  greet  them,  as  of  yore, 

Though  lost,  in  faithful  memory  cherished. 


'Tis  that  when  on  thy  strand  1  feel 

A  reverent  tenderness  come  o'er  me ; 
Am  moved  by  thy  gray  rocks  to  kneel, 

With  all  thy  grandeur  spread  before  me, 
And  breathe  my  worship  in  His  ear 

AVIio  in  his  greatness  thought  out-reaching, 
Is  ever  to  the  lowly  near, 

The  glory  of  his  goodness  teaching. 

'Tis  that  by  thee  I  feel  the  love 

That,  like  thy  floods,  no  measure  knowing, 
From  the  eternal  fount  above 

To  mortal  man  is  ever  flowing  ; 
And  hear  His  footsteps  who  of  old 

Sublimely  trod  the  troubled  billow, 
Who  with  a  word  the  storm  controlled, 

Rising  majestic  from  his  pillow. 


ADDITIOXAL  PIECES.  o7 

Tis  that,  at  Bight  of  thcc,  inspired 

With  conscious  power,  my  soul  ascending 
Shoots  high  her  flight  with  wing  untired, 

Her  1 1 ea ven ward  yearning  impulse  lending, 
Till  fairer  visions  greet  her  sight 

Than  charm  where  tropic  suns  arc  gleaming  ; 
Realms  bathed  in  uncreated  light 

From  God's  high  throne  forever  streaming. 

Long  as  my  mortal  years  shall  roll, 

Grand  Sea  !  thy  sights  and  sounds  shall  cheer 
me. 
Bring  calm  sweet  musings  to  my  soul. 

And  God  and  kindred  spirits  near  me  ; 
Then,  when  these  eyes  behold  no  more 

Thy  noble  lace,  its  charm  still  keeping, 
0  let  thy  long  loved  solemn  roar 

Be  as  a  requiem  o'er  me  sleeping  ! 


G8  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 


BURIAL    HILL.* 

ON  Plymouth's  Burial  Hill  we  trod, 
And  high  each  heart  was  beating  ; 
It  seemed  indeed  "  the  field  of  God," 
Each  stone  his  praise  repeating. 

'Twas  not  mid  chill  December's  blast 
O'er  sea  and  land  wild  sweeping  ; 

June's  longest  day — too  soon  'twas  past — 
Its  carnival  was  keeping. 

Soft  skies  were  o'er  us  as  we  stood, 
With  summer  zephyrs  breathing  ; 

We  saw  God's  smile  on  field  and  wood, 
And  flowers  the  earth  enwreathiner. 


*  The  most  interesting  moment  in  the  session  of  the  late  National 
Council  of  the  Congregational  Churches  Mas  that  when,  standing  on 
Bnrial  Hiil  at  Plymouth  over  the  graves  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  its 
members  solemnly  reaffirmed,  with  prayer  and  singing,  their  fidelity 
to  the  system  of  Christian  Faith  from  which  those  noble  men  drew 
tiaeir  highest  inspiration. 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Beneath  our  feel  the  Pilgrims  slept, 

The  brave,  the  true,  all  lowly. 
Their  humble  graves  by  angels  kept  ; 

The  ground  to  as  was  holy. 

Ah!  then  all  tenderly  we  thought, 
We  thought  with  pride  and  wonder. 

How — Freedom's  price  divinely  taught — 
They  stood  unflinching  yonder  ; 

Though  wintry  dullness  reigned  around, 
And  wintry  winds  were  howling, 

Though  only  savage  man  was  found. 
And  savage  beasts  were  prowling. 

Anew  we  felt  their  hopes  and  fears. 

When  want  and  sickness  wasted  : 
As  through  the  lingering,  weary  years, 

Of  sorrow's  cup  they  tasted. 


Grand  souls  !  that  with  heroic  will 
The  waves  of  trouble  breasted  ; 

Not  e'en  did  woman  falter,  till 
Beneath  that  turf  they  rested  ! 


70  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

For  God,  for  truth,  for  man,  they  bore 
Loss,  exile,  grief,  and  danger, 

As  Christ,  the  Lord  they  loved,  of  yore 
Accepted  earth's  low  manger. 

And  there  above  their  sacred  dust 
Whose  names  shall  never  perish, 

We  vowed  their  faith,  a  holy  trust 
For  all  mankind,  to  cherish. 

0  God,  who  hcard'st  our  prayer  and  song 
'Neath  heaven's  hierh  dome  ascending, 

Bid  us  in  thine  own  might  be  strong, 
For  that  pure  Faith  contending. 

From  regions  wide  where  Plenty  fills 

Her  lap  to  overflowing  ; 
From  rugged  realms  where  rocks  and  hills 

With  gold  and  gems  arc  glowing  j 

From  northern  lakes  that  cool  and  bright 
Their  sparkling  waves  are  spreading, 

To  where  fresh  orange  groves  delight, 
Perpetual  fragrance  shedding  ; 


ADDITIONAL  PISCES.  71 

From  all  the  wide  wide  land,  the  i  ry 
For  God'a  good  Word  [a  B] ding  ; 

And  Freedom  lifts  her  hands  on  high, 
No  more  enchained  and  bleeding  ! 

0  wake,  ye  sons  of  Pilgrim  sires  ! 

Go,  live  in  power  and  beauty 
The  life  sublime  their  Faith  inspires  ; 

Its  watchword — God  axd  duty! 


72  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 


MOUNT    WASHINGTON. 

HERE   let  me  gaze   in  silence.     Awed,  en- 
tranced, 
And  stilled  as  if  to  worship  reverently  ; 
Moved  to  all  thoughts  most  noble,  pure,  and 

calm, 
To   the   strange    heart-thrills   which    the   vast 

awakes, 
I  seem  overmastered  by  a  mighty  spell : 
Exalted,  yet  subdued,  my  heart  I  yield, 
In  this  rude  solitude,  to  eye  and  ear. 
Beauty  and  grandeur  and  a  sense  of  God, 
Commingled  all,  enchant  my  willing  soul, 
Stir  it  to  longings  vague  and  infinite, 
Fill  its  profoundest  depths  and  hold  it  charmed, 
In  tranquil  wonder  and  sublime  delight. 

Ye  massive  domes,  ye  towering  cliffs  and  crags, 
Ye  purple  summits  that  lift  up  your  brows 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  ~;\ 

Bathed  in  pure  azure,  or  en  wreathed  with  clouds. 
Far,  far  ye  rise  above  our  mortal  paths — 
Paths     resonant     with     groans   and  wet  with 

tears  ; 
And,  in  soft  sunshine  glowing,  now  ye  smile, 
As  if  exulting  in  a  living  joy  ; 
As  if  in  ever-peaceful,  grand  repose, 
Ye  feel  not  the  rude  shocks  that  shake  the  world, 
Heedless  though  battles  rage  and  kingdoms  fall. 
Yet  know  I  well  that  ye  not  ever  thus 
Serenely  stand  ;  that  oft  around  your  heads 
Fierce   tempests  rave   and  cleaving  lightnings 

gleam, 
And  thunders  peal  that  from  each  rifted  gorge 
To  gloomy  skies  are  echoed  awful  back. 
Changeless  ye  seem,  as  if  in  giant  might, 
Defying  elements  and  hoary  time, 
Twere  yours  the  flow  of  ages  to  abide, 
While  man  and  his  proud  works  are  turned  to 

dust. 
And  yet  I  mark  that  ye  bear  countless  scars  ; 
That  down   your  rugged  steeps  torrents   have 

swept 


74  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Gashing  your  sides,  and  avalanches  plunged, 
Baring  your  rocky  breasts  to  sun  and  storm. 
Exult  not  proudly  o'er  frail,  mortal  man, 
That  naught  for  him  endures  ;  ye  too  at  last, 
By  earth's  fixed,  unrelenting  law,  shall  waste. 
Yet  shall  your  term  be  long.     Man  oft  shall 

mourn 
His  perished  hopes  and  joys  ;  shall  weep  full  oft 
His  heart's  best  treasures  ravished  all  too  soon  ; 
Shall  see  his  laurels  fade,  his  honors  die, 
His  empires  pass,  bis  palaces  decay, 
His  canvas  mould,  his  marbles  crumble  down, 
His  noblest  words  of  eloquence  and  song 
Lost  in  forgetfulncss,  and  known  no  more  ; 
While  yet  unchanged  your  majesty  remains. 
Oh  !  ye  are  worthy,  venerable  forms, 
That  on  the  long-gone  centuries  have  looked, 
And  wait  to  look  on  ages  yet  to  come, 
Of  the  deep  reverence  that  my  spirit  feels. 
Helpful  ye  are  to  lift  my  heart  to  Him 
Whose  hand  of  old  your  strong  foundations  laid, 
And   piled,  with    power   almighty,  your   huge 

towers. 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  75 

Therefore  I  love  to  climb  your  rocky  steeps, 

To  note  each  outline,  drink  the  spirit  in 

That  breathes  through  all  your  glens  and  forests 

wild  ; 
To  feel  the  influence  of  your  changeful  moods, 
And  gain  from  each  some  joy  or  impulse  new. 
I  love,  as  now,  to  watch  with  you  alone, 
When  morning  greets  you  early  with  her  smile  ; 
When  evening  bids  you  late  a  kind  good-night ! 
When  ye  are  holding  converse  with  the  stars, 
At  midnight  clustering  thick  around  your  heads, 
Like  jewels  in  some  august  monarch's  crown. 
I  love  among  the  pines,  far  down  your  slopes, 
When  winds  breathe  softly  in  the  cool,  still  eve, 
To  linger  for  the  latest  notes  of  birds — 
Notes  sweetly  tender  as  befits  the  hour  : 
While  rills  and  distant  waterfalls  respond, 
And  with  their  chimes  the  diapason  fill. 
Ah  !  then  I  seem  with  God,  and  almost  hear 
Voices   Celestial  speaking  words  of  love. 
And  lingering  still,  well  pleased,  I  dare  to  dream 
That  the  soft  cadences  that  swell  and  die 
In  your  thick  shades,  arc  harmonies  divine 


76  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Wafted  to  earth  from  holy  choirs  of  heaven  ; 
Or  greetings  kind  of  saintly  souls  from  whom 
Long  since  I  parted  at  the  gate  of  death  ; 
Who,  loving  and  well  loved,  were  wont  to  speak 
Words  that  were  ever  music  to  my  ears. 

Long  it  were  joy  to  stay.     But  now  again, 
To  duty's  call  attentive,  I  return, 
As  if  from  holy  ground,  to  meet  the  shock 
Of  life's  rude  jars,  and  wrestle  with  its  ills. 
But  from  your  base,  0  mountains  !  I  shall  go 
Stronger,  with  loftier  purposes  inspired, 
With  fresher  thoughts  and  calmer  life  within, 
And  firmer  rest  in  God.     His  changeless  pledge 
Of  love,  and  love's  best  gifts  to  faithful  souls, 
Shall  stand  when  even  ye,  crumbled  by  time, 
And  lost  by  slow  decay,  shall  be  no  more, 
And  earth  itself  hath  vanished  as  a  dream. 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  " 


0 


MISANTHROPY. 

WORLD,  to  some  so  bright  and  fair, 
Thy  charms  I  cannot  see  ; 
Thy  joys — thy  purest,  choicest — are 
But  hollow  joys  to  me. 


When  all  around  look  blythe  and  gay, 

And  every  heart  is  glad, 
I  turn  in  weariness  away, 

In  spirit  sore  and  sad. 

Not  e'en  the  fireside's  kindly  cheer 
Can  smooth  my  knitted  brow  ; 

In  that  which  once  I  prized  so  dear 
I  find  no  pleasure  now. 

Farewell,  ye  pomps  of  life  !  farewell 

Ye  pageants  all  untrue  ! 
Scenes  mid  which  others  joy  to  dwell 

I  bid  ye  irlad  adieu ! 


78  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Where  nature  blooms  in  beauty  pure 

My  footsteps  now  I  bend, 
There,  unmolested  and  secure, 

A  life  of  peace  to  spend. 

Be  mine  the  hermit's  lonely  cot, 

Round  which  the  wild  flowers  wave, 

And  there,  unheeded  and  forgot, 
Be  mine  his  lonely  grave. 


RESPONSE 


A 


ND  think'st  thou,  fool,  when  thou  hast  fled 
The  busy  haunts  of  men, 
That  thou  shalt  find  thy  passions  dead, 
To  waken  not  again  ? 


Think'st  thou  thy  soul's  deep  craving,  felt 

Without  thy  wish  or  will, 
When  thou  hast  by  thy  pallet  knelt, 

Shall  evermore  be  still  ? 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  79 

The  warm  affections  in  thy  breast. 

That  keenly  thirst  for  love, 
Think'st  thou  that  these  can  lie  at  rest, 

Content  no  more  to  rove  ? 

The  conscious  power  for  noble  deeds, 

That  wakens  high  desire, 
Think'st  thou,  when  thou  hast  told  thy  beads, 

'Twill  stir  no  inward  tire  ? 

The  sense  of  duty  that  commands 

To  do  with  all  the  might, 
When  thou  shalt  fold  thy  idle  hands, 

"Will  this  forswear  the  right? 

The  thought  of  deeds  of  love  that  thou 
Shouldst  every  day  have  done. 

Will  it  not  haunt  when  thou  shalt  bow, 
As  nightly  sets  the  sun  ? 

The  world's  great  agonising  cry, 
From  suffering  millions  wrung, 

Will  that  for  thee  in  silence  die 
When  thou  hast  vespers  sung  ? 


80  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

The  dread  of  reckoning  strict  and  stern 
For  unused  gifts  and  powers, 

Will  that  not  in  thy  bosom  burn, 
Through  all  thy  lonely  hours  ? 

Ah,  fling  thy  fatal  dream  aside, 
Stand  forth  in  manhood  true  ; 

Where  life's  great  battle  rages  wide 
Be  strong  to  dare  and  do ! 

In  virtue's  conflict  stern  and  high, 
Thy  soul  shall  grow  divine  ; 

In  triumphs,  joy  shall  light  thine  eye, 
And  holy  peace  be  thine. 

With  splendor  then  shall  close  the  day 
That  ends  thy  mortal  strife  ; 

Men  by  thy  grave  shall  pause  and  say — 
"  He  lived  a  noble  life  !  " 


ADDITIONAL  I'll  sj 


THE    CHORUS    OF    ALL    SAINTS. 

[Suggested  while  hearing  Haydn's  Imperial  Mass.] 


IHE  choral  song  of  a  mighty  throng 


T 

JL      Comes  sounding  down  the  ages  ; 
'Tis  a  pealing  anthem  borne  along, 

Like  the  roar  of  the  sea  that  rages  ; 
Like  the  shout  of  winds  when  the  storm  awakes, 

Or  the  echoing  distant  thunder, 
Sublime  on  the  listening  ear  it  breaks, 

And  enchains  the  soul  in  wonder. 

And  in  that  song  as  it  onward  rolls. 

There  are  countless  voices  blended  : 
Voices  of  myriads  of  holy  souls 

Since  Abel  from  earth  ascended  ; 
Of  patriarchs  old  in  the  world's  dim  morn. 

Of  seers  from  the  centuries  hoary, 
Of  angels  who  chimed  when  the  Lord  was  born — 

"  To  God  in  the  highest,  glory  !*' 
6 


*g2  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Of  the  wise  that,  led  by  the  mystic  star, 

Found  the  babe  in  Bethlehem's  manger, 
And  gifts,  from  the  Orient  lands  afar, 

Bestowed  on  the  new-born  stranger  ; 
Of  Mary,  the  blessed  of  God  Most  High  ; 

Of  the  Marys  that  watch  were  keeping 
At  the  Cross  where  He  hung  for  the  world  to  die, 

And  stood  by  the  sepulchre  weeping. 

The  voices  of  holy  Apostles  rise, 

The  symphony  grandly  swelling, 
And  land  to  land  with  the  strain  replies, 

As  they  go  of  Messiah  telling  ; 
And  with  them  the  martyr  host  conspire, — 

A  host  as  the  stars  for  number, — 
They  sing  from  the  rack  and  from  out  the  fire, 

From  the  dust  in  which  they  slumber. 


From  the  saints  obscure,  that  in  every  age 
Have  fought  the  good  fight  unheeded, 

Whose  names  ne'er  graced  the  historic  page, 
Who  thought  not  of  fame,  nor  needed, 


ADDITIOXAL  PIECES.  <\ 

Come  tones  that  tell  of  a  tender  love, 

Of  a  spirit  calm  and  holy  : 
Oh,  sweet  to  the  car  of  the  Lord  above 

Is  the  praise  of  the  meek  and  lowly! 

He  hath  heard,  well  pleased,  when  the  psalm 
awoke 

Dark  caves  and  the  dismal  prison  ; 
When  the  stillness  of  lonely  glens  it  broke, 

Or  on  damp  night-winds  has  risen  ; 
When  up  from  the  cot  of  the  poor  it  came, 

Or  from  meanest  cabins  stealing, 
'Twas  an  offering  dearer  than  altar's  flame. 

The  love  of  true  hearts  revealing. 


And  hark  !  from  the  joyous  infant  choir, 
Which  the  Lord  to  His  arms  hath  taken, 

Xotes  sweet  as  breathe  from  the  trembling  lyre 
That  the  softest  touch  doth  waken  ! 

And  from    childhood's   band  who.  when   life's 
fresh  glow 
On  their  early  bloom  was  lying, 


84  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Felt  the  shaft  of  death  to  their  young  hearts  go, 
And  His  love  enfold  them  dying  ! 

So  onward,  long  as  the  queenly  moon 

Shall  float  through  the  azure  nightly, 
Or  the  sun  ascend  to  his  throne  at  noon, 

Or  the  evening  star  burn  brightly, 
Shall  the  choral  hymn  of  the  saints  resound 

That  chants  of  the  Cross  the  story  ; 
It  shall  rise  and  blend  with  the  trumpet's  sound 

When  the  Lord  shall  come  in  glory ! 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 


THANKSGIVING. 

ATOVEMBER  !  draped  in  sullen  gray, 
-Ll      And  veiled  with  withered  leaves, 
One  ever-welcome,  smiling  day. 
Thy  leaden  gloom  relieves. 

Day  of  bright' hours,  that  all  too  fast 

With  noiseless  feet  go  by, 
Oh,  give  me  back  the  buried  past 

Ere  thou  thyself  shalt  die  ! 

Let  me  tread  o'er  the  misty  track 
Of  long,  long  vanished  years  ; 

Let  childhood's  dreamy  days  come  back 
With  all  their  smiles  and  tears. 

On  memory's  canvas,  fair  and  bright. 
The  dear  old  home  is  drawn. 


86  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

And  o'er  it  falls  the  golden  light, 
As  of  a  cloudless  morn. 

I  see  the  trees  that  hemmed  it  round, 

On  which,  each  year  anew, 
The  robin  built  her  nest  and  found 

A  greeting  warm  and  true. 

I  see  the  crib  with  ripened  corn 

And  yellow  grain  o'erflow, 
The  well-filled  barn,  the  close-grazed  !n\vn, 

The  orchard's  tempting  glow. 

I  pass  again  the  threshold  where, 

A  bounding  child,  I  played  ; 
When  parents,  brothers,  sisters,  there 

For  me  an  Eden  made. 

I  see  again  my  father's  smile  ; 

I  hear  my  mother's  song  ; 
Sweet  dream  !  so  sweet,  that  still  awhile 

I  would  the  bliss  prolong. 


ADDITIONAL   PIECES.  87 

But  onward  hastes  my  restless  thought, 

k&  onward  trod  my  feet, 
When,  home  and  childhood  left,  I  sought 
The  strifes  for  manhood  meet. 

E'er  since  a  man,  with  busy  men, 

I've  trod  life's  flinty  path, 
With  crimsoned  footsteps  now,  and  then. 

Amid  the  tempest's  wrath  ; 

Thou,  loving  God,  my  feet  hast  kept. 

That  else  afar  had  strayed  : 
Hast  dried  the  tear  when  sorrow  wept, 

And  lit  the  gloomy  shade  ! 

Thy  hand,  o'er  all  the  desert  waste. 

My  cup  hath  daily  tilled  ; 
The  Bread  of  Heaven  hath  made  me  taste, 

And  every  wish  hath  stilled. 

Though  childhood's  lights  and  joys  can  greet 
No  more  my  fond  return, 


88  ADDITIONAL  PIECES 

Homeward,  each  year,  shall  turn  my  feet, 
Long  as  life's  flame  shall  burn. 

Round  the  old  hearth-stone  met  again, 
The  old  deep  love  shall  glow, 

And  youthful  mirth  shall  wake  and  reign, 
And  hearts  together  flow. 

Oh,  ever-welcome,  ever  dear, 

Thou  ancient  festal  day, 
When  Home  calls  back  to  social  cheer 

Its  wanderers  long  away. 


ADDlT/nXAL   PIEi  E&  8(J 


0 


THE    SCEPTIC. 

H,  pity  the  poor  doubter  darkly  driven. 
He  knows  not  whither,  o'er  life's  troubled 


On  sun  and  stars,  to  light  the  wanderer  given. 
His  eyes,  now  half  bedimnied,  are  turned  in 
vain. 

Xo  needle  points  for  him  the  dubious  way  ; 

No  friendly  chart  guides  o'er  the  trackless 
deep  ; 
Xo  lighthouse  greets  him  with  its  gladsome  ray  ; 

Xo  haven  welcomes  when  wild  tempests  sweep. 

The  voice  divine  within  he  heedeth  not : 
The  book  of  nature  he  doth  all  misread  : 

Celestial  Truth  denied,  her  words  forgot, 
Illusion  cheats  him  and  false  lights  mislead. 


90  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

In  fond  conceit  he  dreams  ere  long  to  find, 
By  his  own  wisdom  led,  a  region  fair, 

Where  placid  streams  adown  sweet  valleys  wind 
And  clays  serenely  glide  without  a  care. 

Ah,  no  !  though  many  a  blooming  realm  there  be, 
Where  beauty  smiles  beneath  a  cloudless  sun, 

Yet  such  fair  shore  his  eye  shall  never  see, 
Misfortune's  victim  ere  his  course  be  run. 

His  fated  bark,  long  tossed  the  ocean  o'er, 
At  last  shall  founder  helpless  and  alone  ; 

Or  stranded  on  some  rugged,  surf-beat  shore, 
O'er  him,  in  woful  dirge,  the  waves  shall  moan. 

Thou  that  hast  faith,  on  God's  good  Word  hold 
fast ; 

Thy  chart  and  compass  both  His  truth  shall  be, 
Till,  reached  thy  port  and  all  thy  perils  past, 

In  peace  thou  floatest  on  the  crystal  sea. 


ADDITIOXAL  PIECES.  91 


SOXG  —  THE  WIFE. 

WHEN   through    dark   wilds    and    doubtful 
mazes, 
O'er  thorny  paths  perplexed  I  rove. 
And  many  a  luring  meteor  blazes, 

And  patience  many  an  hour  hath  strove  ; 
When  worn  with  care,  my  spirit  sinking, 

Xo  more  elastic,  strong  and  free, 
Despondency's  sad  draught  is  drinking, 
And  hopes  like  fading  shadows  flee  ; 
Oppressed,  half  weary  of  my  life, 
Thou  art  my  solace,  faithful  wife  ! 

Like  some  lone  spot  of  verdure  springing, 
The  desert's  dreary  waste  to  cheer, 

Which,  chance  the  weary  wanderer  bringing, 
Yields  soft  repose  by  fountains  clear  ; 

E'en  thus,  on  earth's  wide  desert  smiling, 
Appears  my  home,  one  fairer  spot. 


92  ADDITIONAL  PIECES 

Where  joy  springs  fresh  each  care  beguiling, 

And  noise  and  discord  enter  not ; 
Of  home,  bright  resting-place  of  life, 
Thou  art  the  soul,  my  noble  wife  ! 


When,  duty's  urgent  call  obeying, 

I  wander  from  that  home  and  thee, 
My  truant  thought  is  ever  straying 

Backward  thy  gentle  face  to  see  ; 
And  when  again  my  footsteps  turning 

Bear  me  thy  warm  embrace  to  meet, 
That  thought  with  fond  impatience  burning 

Sweeps  onward  than  the  wind  more  fleet, 
And  stays  not  till,  life  of  my  life, 
It  rests  with  thee,  my  charming  wife ! 

When  comes  at  length  the  hour  of  meeting, 
I  give  and  take  the  fervent  kiss  ; 

Oh,  with  the  thrill  of  such  a  greeting, 
Can  earth  compare  another  bliss  ? 

The  joy  of  that  eternal  union 

That  ransomed  spirits  round  God's  throne 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  93 

Unites  in  heaven's  own  blest  communion, 

Excels  it,  but  excels  alone  ; 
That  be  it  mine,  to  endless  life, 
With  thee  to  share,  my  angel  wife! 


94  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 


MIDSUMMER    NIGHT. 

O'ER  the  dim,  empurpled  mountains, 
Fades  the  ruby  light  away  ; 
Shadows  sleep  where  late  the  fountains 
Sparkled  'neath  the  glance  of  day. 

Tranquil  streams  that,  smoothly  gliding, 
Mirrored  tree  and  cliff  and  cloud, 

All  their  placid  beauty  hiding, 

Gathering  night-shades  now  enshroud. 

Flowers  that  in  the  jocund  morning 
Drank  with  blushing  lips  the  dew, 

Folded  wait  another  dawning, 
And  their  wasted  sweets  renew. 

Hurrying  life's  last  murmur  dying, 
Stillness  broods  o'er  vale  and  hill, 

Startled  only  by  the  crying 
Of  the  wakeful  whip-poor-will. 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  95 

Spirit  of  the  peaceful  hour, 

Now  while  nature  sinks  to  rest, 
Let  thy  sweet,  subduing  power, 

Still  each  passion  in  my  breast ! 

Give  calm  thoughts  of  tasted  sorrows, 

Tender  memories  wake  again, 
Bring  me  dreams  of  bright  to-morrow3, 

Hopes  that  shall  not  all  be  vain. 

While  with  darkness  vigils  keeping, 

Here  I  linger  silent,  lone, 
Come  there,  like  the  soft  wind  sweeping, 

Breathings  from  the  realm  unknown. 

As  yon  watching  stars  above  me 
Greet  me,  though  afar  they  roll. 

May  not  those  in  heaven  that  love  me, 
Speak  in  whispers  to  my  soul  ? 

As  if  some  new  sense  possessing, 

May  I  not  those  whispers  hear  ? 
Catch  from  airy  lips  a  blessing, 

Know  that  holv  ones  are  near  ? 


96  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Night's  deep  shade  the  world  concealing, 
Makes  the  soul's  quick  glance  more  keen  ; 

In  serener  light  revealing 
To  her  eye  the  things  unseen. 

Sights  of  unthought  glory  hidden, 
Sounds  unheard  by  mortal  ear, 

Are  not  to  her  sense  forbidden 
When  she  wakes  to  see  nnd  hear. 

Beauty  greets  her,  ever  vernal, 

Melodies  for  earth  too  sweet, 
Glows  for  her  the  Throne  Eternal, 

Of  Incarnate  Love  the  seat ! 

On  my  spirit  heavenward  turning. 

Falls  celestial  grace  like  dew. 
Waking  all  afresh  her  yearning 

xlngels,  to  ascend  to  you  ! 

Oh,  while  hushed  is  eacli  commotion, 
While,  my  soul,  thy  thought  is  free, 

Fervent  breathe  thy  pure  devotion, 
God  and  heaven  are  nigh  to  thee  ! 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES  97 


THE    AXGEL    CHILD. 

r 1MIE  seal  of  heaven  was  early  set. 
1       Sweet  child  !  upon  thy  sunny  brow  ; 
Though  lost  to  earth  thou  livest  vet. 
All  bright  and  glad  I  see  thee  now  ! 

Those  glowing  eyes,  that  gentle  smile. 

Spoke  thee  for  earth  a  thing  too  fair  ; 
A  cherub  lent  from  heaven  a  while. 

A  cherub's  grace  'twas  thine  to  wear. 

Oft  fondly  beat  a  father's  heart. 

To  see  thy  budding  life  unfold  ; 
And  oft  a  mother's  tear  did  start. 

Born  of  deep  yearnings  all  untold. 

Hope  dreamed  that  many  a  smiling  year 
Should  many  a  ripening  charm  display  ; 

But.  oli  !  a  voice  we  could  not  hear, 
Won  thee  in  childhood's  dawn  away. 


98  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Yet,  but  in  seeming  didst  thou  die  ; 

A  joyous  spirit,  swift  of  wing, 
'Twas  thine  to  cleave  yon  azure  sky, 

And,  like  the  lark,  to  soar  and  sing. 

Unquenched  is  that  immortal  fire  ! 

Dear  child,  thou  didst  not  live  in  vain  ; 
And  heaven  shall  grant  our  warm  desire, 

To  fold  thee  to  our  hearts  again ', 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  90 


SONG. 

GENTLY  I  glide,  love, 
Glide  o'er  the  deep  ; 
Hushed  are  the  wild  winds, 
The  proud  billows  sleep  ; 
Soft  gleams  the  summer  moon 

On  the  still  sea  ; 
Yet  roams  my  thought,  love, 
It  wanders  to  thee. 

All,  all  is  beauty, 

Around  and  above ; 
With  me  are  kind   hearts, 

And  eyes  beaming  love  ; 
Fair  lips  breathe  music 

That  charms  the  rapt  ear, 
But  stirs  not  the  soul,  love, 

'Tis  not  thee  I  hear  ! 


100  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Where'er  thou  art,  love, 

Peace  fill  thy  breast ! 
Pure  spirits  guard  thee, 

Awake  or  at  rest ; 
When  the  morn  breaketh, 

With  breeze  fresh  and  free, 
Oh,  may  it  bear'  love, 

This  fond  heart  to  thee  1 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  101 


THE  GOLDEN  WEDDIXG. 

jrpiS  fifty  years  !  'tis  fifty  years  !  how  swiftly 

X      they  have  fled ! 
Since  I  thee,  my  best  and  dearest,  to  the  bridal 

altar  led ! 
In  youthful  grace  and  beauty  thou  wast  blushing 

fresh  and  fair, 
'Twas  with   pride  and  exultation  that  I  stood 

beside  thee  there. 

The  hopes   that  then  we  cherished  were   the 

kindling  hopes  of  youth  ; 
The  vows  which  then  we  plighted  were  the  vows 

of  love  and  truth  ; 
And  light  before  us  glanced  as  we  thought  of 

coming  days, 
As  when  the  summer  sunbeam  o'er  the  trembling 

water  plavs. 


102  ADDITIONAL  PIECES. 

Of  changeless  bliss  we  dreamed  not,  for  all  too 

well  we  knew, 
That  athwart  life's  devious  path  many  an  unseen 

arrow  flew  ; 
But  we  trusted  that  when  wounded,  when  the 

bitter  tear  should  start, 
Sweet  sympathy  would  heal,  and  cheat  of  half 

its  woe  the  heart. 


And  we  thought  that  should  kind  Heaven  deign 

to  smile  upon  our  lot, 
Grant  a  home  and  tranquil  days  in  some  dear 

secluded  spot, 
The  flowers  would  seem  more  lovely  and  the 

stars  shed  purer  light, 
As  we  gazed  on  them  together  with  reciprocal 

delight. 

Now  that  fifty  years  are  passed,  and  we  cast  a 

look  behind, 
What  speaks  the  quick  emotion  that  is  rushing 

o'er 'each  mind  ? 


ADDITIONAL  PIECES.  103 

Saitb  it  of  disappointment — of  each  vision  empty 
found  ? 

Of  hopes  bright  star  declining  and  thick  dark- 
ness gathered  round  ? 

No,   110,   our  thanks  we  offer  to   the  gracious 

Hand  that  guides, 
;Tis  a  placid  stream  that  bears  us,  and  peacefully 

it  glides  : 
May  coming  years  thus  greet  us,  till  life's  latest 

sands  are  run. 
And  life's  close  be  like  the  twilight  when  has 

set  a  cloudless  sun. 


